The question “Where Is The Center Of The Earth?” might seem straightforward, yet the answer is far more nuanced and intriguing than a simple point on a map. While we often think of the Earth’s core as its center, this exploration delves into a different kind of center – the geographical center of the Earth’s landmasses. Given that our planet is overwhelmingly covered by water, with only about 30% being land, and this land scattered across continents and islands, pinpointing this geographic center becomes a complex and fascinating endeavor.
The distribution of continents and islands isn’t uniform. Several continents are connected, like Europe, Africa, and Asia forming Eurasia, and North and South America linked by the Isthmus of Panama. Historically, land bridges further connected these masses, especially during glacial periods when sea levels were lower. This interconnectedness of landmasses throughout history is a crucial backdrop to understanding the concept of a geographical center.
Interestingly, historical and archaeological evidence suggests that civilization’s cradle lies within the region where Asia, Europe, and Africa converge – often referred to as the “Bible lands,” particularly the Tigris-Euphrates region. Ancient civilizations like Sumeria, Egypt, and Assyria flourished here, and pivotal advancements in communication, agriculture, and organized societies originated in this area.
This geographical focus raises a compelling question: Could there be a deeper significance to this central location? Some interpretations, drawing from religious texts, propose a connection between this geographical area and divine intent. The idea is that if a deity intended humanity to populate the Earth after a major flood, as described in biblical narratives, then the “port of disembarkation,” landing near the mountains of Ararat, might logically be situated near the geographical center of the landmasses destined to be inhabited.
This line of reasoning, while not universally accepted, suggests that the location isn’t merely a random occurrence but potentially a deliberate arrangement. Ancient scriptures, like Ezekiel 38:12, even refer to Israel as dwelling “in the midst of the land” or “the navel of the earth,” hinting at a perceived centrality. References to the “four corners” or “quarters of the earth” in texts like Isaiah and Revelation further reinforce this concept of a central point from which directions are oriented, often pointing towards Israel or Jerusalem.
Whether viewed through a theological lens or purely geographically, the notion of a center for global landmasses holds practical implications. If humanity were to establish global organizations – be it for administration, communication, education, transportation, or commerce – locating them near this geographical center could offer significant advantages. Efficiency would be maximized, and operational costs minimized, by placing the hub of global systems closer to the average distance of all inhabited lands.
However, determining this center is far from simple. Until modern times, accurately mapping the Earth’s land areas was a significant challenge. The irregular shapes of continents and islands preclude simple geometric calculations. Finding the true geographical center requires identifying the point on Earth’s surface that has the minimum average distance to all other points on land.
The process to calculate this center is intricate and necessitates advanced computing power. It involves:
- Dividing landmasses: Splitting all land areas into small, equal units.
- Selecting a reference point: Choosing a unit area as a potential center.
- Measuring distances: Calculating the surface distance from the reference point to every other unit area across the globe.
- Calculating average distance: Averaging all measured distances.
- Repeating for all points: Repeating steps 2-4 for every unit area.
- Identifying the minimum average: The unit area with the smallest average distance is the geographical center.
This complex calculation became feasible only with the advent of high-speed digital computers and requires expertise in spherical trigonometry, geodesy, calculus, and computer science, alongside accurate geographical data.
Pioneering research into this question was undertaken by physicist Andrew J. Woods. Sponsored by the Institute for Creation Research, Woods utilized computer analysis to pinpoint the Earth’s geographical center. His findings, detailed in his project report and the ICR Technical Monograph No. 3, revealed significant results.
Woods’ calculations placed the Earth’s geographical center near Ankara, Turkey, at approximately 39° latitude and 34° longitude. This location is remarkably close to the “Bible lands,” a region roughly bounded by Memphis to the south and west, and Mount Ararat to the north and east. This region, encompassing Babylon and Jerusalem, covers about 440,000 square miles.
Compared to the Earth’s total surface area of approximately 197,000,000 square miles, the probability of the geographical center randomly falling within this relatively small area is statistically low – about 1 in 450. This low probability, coupled with scriptural hints of this region’s centrality, strengthens the argument for a potentially meaningful or even divinely purposed geographical arrangement.
While the exact center isn’t Jerusalem, Ararat, or Babylon, Ankara’s location is equidistant from Ararat and Jerusalem, approximately 550 miles from each. Interestingly, these four locations – Ankara, Jerusalem, Ararat, and Babylon – form a near-perfect square on the map, further highlighting the geographical significance of this region.
From a practical standpoint, the area around Ankara, and indeed the broader “Bible lands” region, serves effectively as a geographical center. Woods’ research showed that the average distance to all land areas varies minimally across this region. For instance, the average distance from Ankara is 4,597 miles, from Jerusalem 4,612 miles, and from Ararat 4,617 miles – a negligible difference of about 1/3%.
In stark contrast, the Earth’s “anti-center,” the point furthest from landmasses, lies in the South Pacific Ocean at 45°S 150°W, far from any significant land. The average distance to land from this point is a staggering 7,813 miles, making it the least suitable location for any global hub.
In conclusion, while the Earth’s core is its physical center, the geographical center of its landmasses, as revealed by scientific computation, is located near Ankara, Turkey, within the historically and religiously significant “Bible lands.” This location’s statistical improbability of being random, its alignment with ancient geographical perceptions, and its practical advantages for global connectivity suggest a deeper significance to this region’s central position on Earth. Whether by design or coincidence, the geographic heart of our planet’s inhabited lands beats in a location rich with history and potential for future global interaction.
